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Weather Forecast

Flood sandbagging to begin in Cottage Grove

A local church is looking for volunteers to help fill sandbags beginning this week in a Cottage Grove neighborhood threatened by flooding.

All Saints Lutheran Church is coordinating a sandbagging effort to protect homes in the River Acres neighborhood along the Mississippi River. Two families who belong to the church live on River Acres Road and could see flooding, but the sandbagging operation will help other flood-threatened homeowners in need of assistance, said the Rev. Bill Helker of All Saints Lutheran.

"The idea is community-wide," he said.

The church is seeking volunteers to help fill and place sandbags starting at 10 a.m. Thursday. Volunteers will work in shifts. Sandbagging could continue daily through Sunday or longer, depending on the need.

Anyone wishing to volunteer can call the church to schedule a shift. Volunteers are being asked to dress warm, wear gloves and boots and bring a shovel.

The city of Cottage Grove is dumping sand along River Acres Road to be used by the volunteers. The city is providing sand and bags for the residents, but is not providing manpower for a flood fight.

All Saints Lutheran led a similar volunteer sandbagging effort during 2001 flooding, Helker said.

To schedule a shift or get more information, contact the church at (651) 459-1117 or go to the website at www.allsaintscg.org.

Stay with the Bulletin online for south Washington County flooding updates.